Vladimir Horowitz

Horowitz, Vladimir (hôrˈōwĭts) [key], 1904–89, Russian-American virtuoso pianist, b. Kiev. Horowitz studied at the Kiev Conservatory. After a Russian debut at the age of 17, he appeared with overwhelming success in Berlin and Paris in 1924 and made his American debut with the New York Philharmonic in 1928. Possessing remarkable technical virtuosity, he soon became one of the most popular pianists in the United States. Unlike contemporary pianists, he was willing to interpret the music independently of the composer. In 1933 he married the daughter of Arturo Toscanini and settled (1940) in New York City. Horowitz gave few recitals after 1953.